Probably my favorite song on the Slow Nights. Fast Food. album, this is the music video for “Do It Cuz You Love It.” The message is pretty clear (I hope): do whatever you do because you love it, nothing else. I’m as guilty as anyone of sometimes losing sight of why I do the things I’m most passionate about. You start to think that it’s not worth the time and effort if there is no money in it, or that perhaps the haters are right and no one will ever appreciate what you’re doing. The bottom line is that if it makes you happy then you should do it. Do it right now while you’re able and into it. The video was a fun impromptu shoot. I was in Galveston on a day trip with ol’ G-Bird, had a camera and figured “why not shoot a video while we’re here?” I had to buy a cheap change of clothes once I decided I would stand waist-deep in the gulf for this thing. The water was rolling pretty good that day so standing up straight and rapping at a fixed point was pretty difficult. Hopefully I’m the first rapper to ever film a music video while standing in the Gulf of Mexico…
Tag: big hush
Music Video – Have To for the Want To
Here is the music video for “Have-To for the Want-To” from Slow Nights. Fast Food. Easily in my top 3 favorite songs from the album. Thanks to a borrowed camera from J-Bo, this is the highest quality video I’ve ever made. If I can save up the money to get the same camera he has then I would love to have this quality for the rest of my vids going forward. Dewski made this song possible with his powerful guitar skills, but he’s also a drummer, so even though I did the drums in FL Studio I decided it’d look much cooler to have him play them in the video. We had a ton of fun shooting this and I hope we collaborate again in the very near future. Huge thanks to Dewski and his brother J-Bo for making this one happen!
Music Video – Blow My Top
This is the music video for “Blow My Top” from Slow Nights. Fast Food., which is basically a song about going stir crazy. I had fun making the video and I think it was number 1,570 on the list of music vids shot in my tiny one-bedroom apartment. For such a small place I sure managed to film a lot of stuff in there. I’m not a social guy. If I’m not at work then I’m at home making music or killing time with TV/Internet/Porn/Etc. I came up with the spur-of-the-moment idea to pour milk on my cereal in a ridiculous fashion. I figured I needed something to entertain you folks since the scenery is the same as so many other videos I’ve made. Enjoy!
Poll Question: Favorite Song From Slow Nights. Fast Food.
Order Up: Head In The Clouds
Here’s one of my favorites from “Slow Nights. Fast Food.”
I continue to chase my dream regardless of how many people tell me to wake up. None of my albums would be complete without one of these tracks dedicated to the chase. One thing I was hesitant about with this one was using the term “dirt” in a rap song. As you all know that word is typically associated with criminal activity, which is nothing I partake in. But I figured it’d be pretty obvious by my content that I’m referring to working and being in the reality of the working world when I say I’ve got “my hands in the dirt.” Even though my job involves a computer, but “got my hands on a mouse” doesn’t sound as cool.
I’m especially proud of the instrumental. I feel like it has a lot more going on and more parts to it than most of my songs so it was a big accomplishment knowing that I made it from scratch. I’m no producer. I make beats because I can’t afford to pay others to do it for me, so when I put one like this together I’m a very happy man.
I wish, dream, hope, and scheme every day about being something much bigger than I am. I never seem to come up with the right method for making that a reality, but it doesn’t stop me from going right back to the daydreaming board. I’ve worked so hard for so long on this music that I just want to see it reach the next level. I want to validate why I’ve dedicated so much to it and given up so much for it. It might take me a lifetime, or it might happen a week from now, I have no idea. The anticipation of that moment is what keeps lighting a fire underneath me and inspires me to write the next song for the next album. Every time I put out a new album, think that it’ll be the one to put me on the map, then watch as no one notices it, I lose my drive temporarily. I second guess everything I’ve done and wonder if I should hang up my microphone for good. Then when I least expect it I get an idea for a verse, or a hook, or a beat, and before I know it I’m in headphones working hard on a new track. I start telling myself “THIS is going to be the one.” and forget that I ever thought that about any song before it.
At the end of the day I love making music. So even if the payout isn’t what I hoped for, I still enjoy creating this stuff. I know there is a fanbase out there for me and though the haters bug me, they’ll never prevent me from doing what I love and eventually reaching all of my fans. Here’s to all the dreamers out there chasing one down.
(Verse 1)
I’m down here in the trenches while my dreams are in the sky
And the real world’s laughin’ at me askin’ why I try
Sayin’ “Get used to this office and enjoy the 9 to 5
You’ll be workin’ for ‘The Man’ til the day that you retire
You don’t have the talent needed to compete with all these rappers
Even if you did, your image isn’t what they’re after
And as far as being famous, you are never gonna matter
So either get to jumpin’ or just come back down the ladder”
I refuse to listen to it. Never did and never have.
Hope these haters keep receipts cuz they’ll be takin’ words back
I’ll just stay on my track while I stay on my tracks
Only way to keep it tight is never cut ’em any slack
But confidence is somethin’ kinda hard to maintain
So when it’s elevated I do everything to sustain
I’m in a game and I need the crowd chantin’ my name
So I can validate the blood, sweat, and tears in this thing…
(Chorus)
I’ve got my head in the clouds and my hands in the dirt
They said to throw the dream out but I said it’ll work
When they’re bringin’ me down I’ll admit that it hurts
They said I’m not much now but they’ll be eatin’ their words
I’ve got my head in the clouds and my hands in the dirt
They said to throw the dream out but I said it’ll work
When they’re bringin’ me down I’ll admit that it hurts
They said I’m not much now but they’ll be eatin’ their words
(Verse 2)
Every time I think I’ve got it and about to leave a mark
I just end up gettin’ hurt and ad another to my scars
Like an alcoholic I’ve already seen so many bars
Makin’ music on the daily and it saves me from the dark
As long as I remember I’ve been chasin’ one goal
That’s a big fat diamond after all this crushin’ coal
That’s a big hit record goin’ platinum when it’s sold
After takin’ all the heat from people bein’ so cold
(Chorus)
(Verse 3)
The casualties in battlin’ for bein’ somethin’ more
Really rattle me, cuz that’ll be the bodies on the floor
When I’m walkin’ nightmares tryin’ to find the back door
Seein’ people that I love who let it go and took the norm
Shocked when I tell ’em that I’m still on this kick
Lookin’ rocked when I quell ’em with the sound they dismissed
I done stopped all the sellin’. Do or don’t get this
There’s a lot more developed from that listlessness
That I used to bring, that’s the thing, come a long way
What you’re lookin’ at ain’t what you knew back in the day
So if you don’t like what you heard I bet you got a bit to say
But I hope you know your comments rarely get inside and never stay
Pay me for my workin’ so I have some dream-dough
To my hobby that’s a passion, only place it’s goin’ to go
Jumpin’ on these local stages but one day I’m gonna blow
I bet that’d be the ticket that’d get ’em to a show
(Chorus)
Order Up: Texas A-V-E
Well I figured now is a good time to add this one to the “Order Up” posts. Here’s the song that served as the first music video from “Slow Nights. Fast Food.”
This song is called “Texas A-V-E” and if you’ve ever lived in Bryan/College Station, you know how important this road is. Ever since I was old enough to drive I’ve loved cruising Texas Avenue. Not because there are a bunch of hot spots popping off all the time, but because it’s one long, main drag between the twin cities. It makes for a simple drive and I always use it as an excuse to get out of the apartment when I’m going stir crazy, or just to clear my mind if needed. This song has a similar sound to “Welcome to the Presentation” only I’m shouting out streets this time instead of businesses. I’ve always loved making songs about the experience of living in B/CS and I’m so proud of how this one turned out. I was especially happy with how well the High School and College names came together in the third verse.
I had this track ready to put on “Perseverance,” but I did a fan-vote for track selection on that album and this one wasn’t picked. Huge thanks to G-Bird for driving while I got footage from the passenger window, and SHELLZ for filming me during my verses. I wish we had picked a less humid night to roll with the windows down! Editing this vid was a beast. I accidentally shot WAY too much footage and spent two days trying to condense the best stuff into 4 minutes. There are a ton of other signs/places I could’ve thrown in if there was room. This one is for my fellow 979ers! If you cruise Texas Avenue then I hope you’ll blast this from your speakers while you do it!
Lyrics:
(Verse 1)
I’m on that avenue and I’m cruisin’ through
In an R-A-M, patriot blue
Been doin’ this here since you-know-who
Made graduation from drivin’ school
My windows downs, my lights are lit
From William J to Dominik
From Highway 6 to Harvey Mitch
If you recognize that you’re a part of this
I’m shinin’ paint, I’m Texas flippin’
I love that T but I don’t mean Lipton
I could pick you up at Holleman
And highly recommend you oughtta get in
We can make a U (turn) back to that
University, make a rendezvous
With the intersect where the plaza blew
But catch the green and stay on the move…
(Chorus)
From the B to the CS and the CS back to the B
I’ll be on that Texas A-V-E
Til I’m ridin’ on E, ridin’ on E, ridin’ on E on that A-V-E
From the B to the CS and the CS back to the B
I’ll be on that Texas A-V-E
Til I’m ridin’ on E, ridin’ on E, ridin’ on E on that A-V-E
(Verse 2)
Now I’m a Bryan boy so I’ll slide away
Past Broadmoor and that Mary Lake
Spot Coulter and East 33
See the BPD and I check the gauge
I paved the way and I love the route
When the girls and the rides and the lights are out
Hear a scream and shout no matter north or south
Just burnin’ that gas like a powder now
Crossin’ Old Hearne and keep it rollin’
My A/C is nothin’ but the windows open
Until I see the Highway I’ll keep floatin’
And then spin around and repeat the motion
And head back toward the 21-Junction
CD on blast til the track can’t function
Somethin’ goin’ down in B-Town? I’m huntin’
If you ride the ave then get this bumpin’…
(Chorus)
(Verse 3)
Whether you’re in College Station
Whether you reside in Bryan
Whether you’re an Aggie, a Cougar, a Tiger
Whether you’re a Buccaneer, Ranger, or Viking
I wanna see you on this avenue
Lookin’ like you wanna be there, not havin’ to
Otherwise I’m gonna be a little mad at you
Come out here and dip in it like a can of stew, uh
Screens lit and the speakers bumpin’
In the foreign, domestic, or next-to-nothin’
With the rims, or the hubs, or the caps, or somethin’
Doesn’t matter what you got if you got it jumpin’
I’ve been here for a couple of decades
And gonna be here for a couple of more
And everytime I hop in my ride
I’m gonna hit the avenue until the gas tank needs more…
(Chorus)